Hidden Gems from the End of the World: Churches and Chapels in Southern Chile
Across the regions of La Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos, Franciscan, Jesuit, and Capuchin congregations left a valuable legacy: churches that have become integral to their communities. What actions can we, as a society, take to preserve them and ensure their long-term sustainability? This is the question posed by Umberto Bonomo, professor at the UC School of Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies and former director of the UC Cultural Heritage Center. (*)
photo_camera Over 150 churches from the Chiloé school, rooted in Jesuit and Franciscan traditions, have been documented in the Los Lagos region alone. In La Araucanía and Los Ríos, buildings established by the Capuchin Order further enrich southern Chile's architectural heritage. The churches of Máfil (pictured), Panguipulli, and Villa García were designed by Father Bernabé Gutknecht, a Capuchin friar who arrived in Chile in 1937. (Photo credit: Santiago Bernales)
Southern Chile boasts numerous churches built by Franciscan, Jesuit, and Capuchin missionaries. These structures, scattered across the regions of La Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos, are testaments to the religious and cultural history of the area.
According to a 2019 study by the Undersecretary of Heritage of Chile’s Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage, the Los Lagos Region alone is home to more than 150 churches influenced by the Chiloé school of Jesuit and Franciscan tradition. Of these, 16 have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Through the preservation and enhancement of these cultural assets, what we inherit transforms into heritage, becoming a vital part of our present identity. Heritage is not merely something passed down from the past; it is also something we actively shape every day. The choices we make—whether to preserve, protect, nurture, or neglect—determine its survival or loss. It is through these decisions that our cultural legacy truly becomes heritage.
This idea is especially relevant to the churches and chapels scattered across southern Chile. In the regions of La Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos, these structures—built by Franciscans, Jesuits, and Capuchins—serve as enduring symbols of religious and cultural heritage.
In La Araucanía and Los Ríos, the Capuchin friars, who arrived in the late 19th century, left a profound mark on the region. Many of the structures they built hold deep symbolic significance for local communities.
Community Value: A Case in Southern Chilean Churches
One notable example is the Iglesia del Tránsito in Metrenco, located just outside Temuco. Also known as the Santuario de la Virgen del Tránsito, it is situated in Padre Las Casas, a municipality with one of Chile’s largest Mapuche populations.
This modest concrete church, built between 1973 and 1978 along Route 5, was declared a National Historic Monument in 2022. The recognition process, as well as its ongoing administration, was led by local Mapuche communities.
Over its 50-year history, the site has become a center of worship dedicated to the Virgin. Each year, on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, a large ceremony takes place, drawing both locals and travelers who come to have their vehicles blessed.
The architect of this humble church was Father Bernabé Gutknecht, a Capuchin friar who arrived in Chile in 1937. He is credited with designing more than 36 schools in the region, as well as several churches, including San Sebastián Church in Panguipulli and others in Máfil and Villa García.
In Villa García, he also built a chapel, houses, a school, and a doctor’s office. These buildings not only served pastoral purposes but also played a vital role in local development by providing education and essential services.
The architecture of these churches, characterized by steep roofs and slender bell towers, reflects the Bavarian style of Father Bernabé’s homeland. Their verticality is striking, especially in a country as seismic as Chile. What makes these structures unique is the strong connection they foster with their surroundings.
Churches, chapels, and parish houses are often part of cohesive urban complexes, linked by small plazas that act as gathering spaces for parishioners. It is said that Father Bernabé drew inspiration from the Chapel of Our Lady of Altötting in Bavaria, Germany.
In Chile, however, these buildings were uniquely shaped by the significant contributions of local communities. Financial and material donations, coupled with collective effort, supported the Capuchins’ religious and cultural mission. In many cases, the community of believers existed long before the construction of the actual buildings.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: History and Identity at Risk
Another significant figure among the Capuchins in the region was Father Francisco Valdés Subercaseaux (1908-1982). Known affectionately as Father Pancho, he contributed to the religious and cultural fabric of La Araucanía by building several chapels and creating numerous religious artworks, including paintings and carvings.
His work established a religious heritage route that stretches from the Freire area to the Argentine border crossing.
This cultural wealth in La Araucanía and Los Ríos faces numerous challenges, requiring collective responsibility to ensure its preservation and sustainability for future generations.
One alarming issue is the prevalence of violence in the region. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 15 churches and 29 schools were burned in municipalities such as Ercilla, Collipulli, and Padre Las Casas. These acts of destruction not only obliterate physical structures but also sever historical and cultural connections between communities and their land.
Beyond arson, these heritage sites face threats from:
- natural deterioration,
- climate change,
- neglect,
- limited funding for preventive conservation,
- and a lack of effective management tools in municipalities.
Together, these factors exacerbate the risk to this invaluable cultural legacy.
The loss of a church or school represents far more than the destruction of a building; it signifies the erasure of shared memories and fragments of a community’s identity. Generational ties—grandparents, parents, and children who attended the same school or celebrated baptisms, weddings, or confirmations in the same chapel—are disrupted.
Cultural heritage plays a vital role in unifying social and community life, fostering the creation of meaningful spaces that reflect the history of a group. Protecting these assets and educating society about their importance is a shared responsibility. By doing so, we enhance emotional well-being and nurture cultural growth, ensuring these fragments of history remain intact for future generations.
(*) Article by Professor Umberto Bonomo, published under the title: "Treasures from the End of the World," in UC Chile's Revista Universitaria, issue 176.
